Jim Gilcreast read from Abraham Lincoln’s 2^nd inaugural address.

 

“…With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

 

 

PP Randy Dittmar noted that dictionaries still need to be delivered to 6 schools – contact him to volunteer 

 

Holly Applegate explained the upcoming Rotary After Dark event at the Barker Playhouse. There will be an evening of comedy and theater on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 6:30 at the Playhouse. Cost is $35 per person. See Holly to sign up or reserve online at www.ProvidenceRotary.org 

 

Nondas mentioned there will be a dinner in honor of St. Patrick’s Day parade Grand Marshall (and past Prov Rotary President) Mike Kelly on February 28. Cost is $60 per person. 

 

Pete Brock--$ happy to be married

 

David Hunter, Don Saracen, Geoff Gaunt, Sharon Garland, Priya Banerjee & others--$ congrats to Pete and Emily

 

Mike Kelly--$ has 2 excellent tix to the Daytona 500 if anyone can make it down.

 

Bob Morse--$30 for the Pats 6^th Super Bowl win and his 3^rd grandchild.

 

Visiting former member Parker Smith--$ for a recent visit to CA to see his grandchild.

 

Rob Black--$ for his daughter’s 31^st birthday

 

Ron Hoak---$5 for a great experience delivering dictionaries.

 

Don Saracen--$ for a big TV project his son & daughter-in-law are doing on the history of Gorham silver.

 

Anthony Hollingshead--$ for the club’s newsletter and to recognize Bob Morse for his first Paul Harris Fellowship which was earned during Anthony’s year as President.

 

Kris David--$ for the mid-year meeting she, Geoff, and Art recently attended and for Art’s being named P.R. chair for the district.

 

Sharon Garland--$ for the experience delivering dictionaries.

 

Jim Gilcreast--$ to note the recent passing of former Rotarian Clark  Sammartino.

 

Pres. Art--$5 thanks to Anthony H. for the kind words about the newsletter and for the 5 members who write the newsletter weekly.

 

 

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha gave us a report on his priorities since taking office. He has focused on providing more opportunities for women to gain the experience necessary for them to move into leadership positions. Additionally, all job openings in his office are now posted on RI Jobs to allow for open competition.

 

AG Neronha has worked to eliminate the backlog in the criminal intake unit and prevent future backlogs from forming. He has also built a strong public integrity unit to deal with corruption.

 

The AG is a strong believer in diversion programs which move smaller, nonviolent crimes such as possession of small amounts of controlled substances out of the criminal justice system.

 

In the civil division of the AG’s office, there has been a pivot to proactive work on behalf of Rhode Islanders while still meeting the duty and obligation to defend the state when it has been sued.

   

Two areas of the AG's legislative focus are Grand Jury reports and applying deceptive trade practice laws to regulated entities such as banks. In RI today, the work done by grand juries is not made public unless an indictment is made. The AG indicated that some of the work done in cases where an indictment is not made may be worthy of publication as long as the rights of people who were not indicted are protected.

 

AG Neronha is a 4^th generation Jamestowner. Prior to his election he was the U.S. Attorney for RI.